...We
say it at the end of almost every practice, but what does it mean exactly?
Even for those of you who say it and don't quite know the meaning of Namaste,
may feel that the word carries a special vibration.

...In
Sanskrit the root Nam means bending, bowing, humbly submitting and becoming
silent. The word "Namas" means "bow,
or reverential salutation." "Te" means "to
you." So if you simply put it all together "namaste" means "I bow to you."
The connotations are a bit more complex, and could be translated as "I
salute the divinity within you."

...As
a slight diversion, it is interesting to note that the act of greeting is
called "Namaskaram," "Namaskara" and "Namaskar" in various Indian dialects.
To make another connection to our yoga practice Sun Surya (Sun) Namaskara
(Salutations) is stems from the same root.

...The
greeting is not limited to Indian cultures. Anyone who has been to Nepal has
heard the Napalese greet each other with "namaste." Traditionally
in Nepal this greeting means 'I honour that place in you where the whole Universe
resides. And when I am in that place in me and you are in that place in you,
there is only one of us.'

...Namaste
can elevate one's consciousness, reminding a person that all beings, all existence
is sacred . It communicates, "I honor or worship the Divinity within you and
all things." As a little side effect, it tends to draw the individual inward
for a moment, inspires reflection on the deeper realities, and softens the
interface between people.